Telescopic weapon aiming system

ABSTRACT

A telescopic optical sight for aiming a weapon at a target is described. The telescopic optical sight comprises an eyepiece, a first reticule, a second reticule spaced laterally from said first reticule, and at least one object lens. The first and second reticules are between the eyepiece and the object lens, and the second reticule aligns with the first to aim the weapon. The first reticule is the principle focus for the telescopic optical sight.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser.No. 09/433,317 filed Nov. 3, 1999, which is a Continuation-in-Part ofapplication Ser. No. 09/093,083 filed Jan. 29, 1998, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a device for enhancing theaccuracy of a conventional single reticule telescopic sight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates generally to telescopic sighting and, morespecifically to an improved telescopic sight for the aiming of weapons.

[0004] Normal optical (telescopic) sights have a single point ofreference called a reticule (crosshairs) which the shooter has to alignwith the target. The problem with this single point of reference is thatthe shooters eye has to be aligned along the centerline of the weaponwhile positioning the crosshairs on the target, therefore, thetelescopic sight offers no help, and in fact introduces a source oferror. In other words, shooters have to learn to keep their heads in thesame position each time they aim, which of course is why it is sodifficult to hit the target.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect, a telescopic optical sight for aiming a weapon ata target is provided. The telescopic optical sight comprises aneyepiece, a first reticule, a second reticule spaced laterally from saidfirst reticule, and at least one object lens. The first reticule and thesecond reticule are between the eyepiece and the object lens. The firstreticule is the principle focus for the sight and the second reticulealigns with the first to aim the weapon.

[0006] In another aspect, a weapon sighting device for use within atelescopic optical sight is provided. The device comprises a surfacehaving a discontinuity at the center of the surface. The sighting deviceis configured to be incorporated into a telescopic optical sight at aposition between a reticule and an object lens and wherein thediscontinuity is spaced longitudinally from and aligned with a reticule.

[0007] In still another aspect, a method for aligning a telescopic sightwith a target is provided. The telescopic sight includes an eyepiece, anobject lens, a first reticule and a second reticule, the first reticuleand the second reticule being between the eyepiece and the object lens,.The method comprises aligning a first reticule of the sight with thetarget and superimposing the second reticule over the first reticule,while the first reticule is in alignment with the target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a view of the invention as an attachment to a normaltelescopic sight.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the invention usedinternally as a second reticule in a telescopic sight.

[0010]FIG. 3 shows a number of embodiments of transparent disks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This invention is essentially a surface with a discontinuity atits center placed some distance from but aligned with a reticule of atelescopic sight. Referring to FIG. 1 an optical sight item 10 (e.g. asingle reticule telescopic sight) is shown. Also shown is a flexiblesleeve 12 into which is inserted a disk 14. Sleeve and disk 14 incombination form an assembly which may be pushed over an eyepiece 16 ofsight 10 to form a complete unit. The disk and sleeve assembly, referredto herein as a weapon aiming device, or weapon sighting device, providesa second point of reference, or second reticule, for a sight or aimingdevice that has only one point of reference or reticule. The singlepoint of reference is sometimes referred to in the art as a principlefocus point, and is ordinarily provided as a single reticule within thetelescopic sight. In one embodiment, the second reticule is a disk 14fabricated from a suitably colored transparent material with a hole 18at a center of disk 14.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, disk 14 is placed between an observerseye (line of sight indicated by the arrow) and a reticule of sight 10,though by suitably arranging the optics of the sight any arrangement ispossible, for example placing the weapon aiming device over a second end20 of sight 10.

[0013] The weapon aiming device may include a circular tinted disk 14with a hole at its center placed at one of a flexible sleeve 12. Sleeve12 enables easy attachment to an optical or similar functioning sight10. The tint may be of any color, however it has to be of sufficientintensity and contrast to the coloring of the attached sight system(e.g. sight 10) to enable the hole at its center to be visible andsuperimposed on the reticule of sight 10.

[0014] Diameter of hole 18 at the disk center should be optimized forthe geometric shape of the symbol of the reticule (e.g. cross hairs).Alternatively, hole 18 could simply be an area of contact with theremaining area of disk 14, as long as there are sufficient conditionsand difference in color between disk 14 and lenses incorporated withinsight 10. In one exemplary embodiment, a diameter of approximately 1 mmis an expected order of magnitude for this hole or contrasting area.

[0015] The aiming device may include multiple disks 14, mounted insleeve 12, one behind the other, each one being easily removable suchthat the overall transparency may be altered to better suit ambientlight conditions. The multiple disks may incorporate different holesizes such that removal of one or more may alter a size of the holepresented to a user of the aiming device. The aiming device may alsoinclude a number of optically polarized disks arranged such that theirrelative movement will effect their transparency. The aiming device mayalso include a disk made from a number of sections such that theirrelative movement will alter the size of the center hole.

[0016] The aiming device may also include an electrically active screen(e.g., liquid crystal display) such that its color and center hole canbe varied. The hole 18 at the center would not necessarily be a physicalhole in the screen, but simply an area of different aspect.

[0017] The aiming device may form an integral part of an optical orsimilar functioning sight, rather than as a removable attachment asshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a telescopic sight 50 whichincorporates a second reticule, for example, internal disks 52 toimprove accuracy of sight 50. Disks 52 incorporate the same features asdisks 14 (shown in FIG. 1). Telescopic sight 50 further includes aneyepiece lens 54. A second reticule (e.g. disks 52) is fit into sight 50between a first reticule 56 and object lenses 58 which are locatedwithin collimator 60. Sight further includes a lens 62 at a forwardfacing end 64 of sight 50. Adjustment means 66 are used to ensure acenter of disks 52 are aligned with first reticule 56.

[0018] Disks 52 may include one or more holes which are positioned suchthat they provide a second reticule which aligns with elements of firstreticule 56 of sight 50, and hence assist the operator to moreaccurately align the two. Preferably, the hole 68 at the center of disk52 is sized and shaped so as to align with the shape of first reticule56.

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of embodiments for disks 14 (shownin FIG. 1) and 52 (shown in FIG. 2). A colored transparent disk 70 witha single hole 72 is shown. While hole 72 is shown as a circle, it iscontemplated that hole 72 could be any geometric form as long as hole 72is aligned with first reticule 56 (shown in FIG. 2) to act as a secondreticule for better alignment of telescopic sight 50 with a target. Inanother embodiment, a transparent disk 74 incorporates different aspector colored concentric circle 76 around a hole 78. Also a transparentdisk 80 incorporates a transparent concentric circle 82 around hole 84.

[0020] Preferably, any of the above described disks mounted in sleeve 12or in sight 50 are configured such that when using a conventional singlereticule optical sight, the concentric circles and/or the hole issuperimposed upon the reticule. Furthermore, as a means for aligning thedisk with the reticule, a reticule could be provided with a number ofconcentric circles in addition to the usual cross hairs. Therefore, itis easier for a user to accurately align the superimposed circle and thereticule circles so as to be concentric in comparison to the ability ofa user to align the superimposed circle formed by the hole in thecolored disk with the cross hairs of the optical sight.

[0021] The aiming device may also be used with an electronic sight whichuses a liquid crystal display or a cathode ray tube for forming thereticule. In summary, the system described herein is either a back sightwhich is a simple add on to an existing telescopic sight or a devicemechanically incorporated into such a telescopic sight. The deviceenables the weapon to be aimed in a similar manner to one utilizing ironforward and rear sights (two points of reference), though of course withmuch greater accuracy.

[0022] While the invention has been described in terms of variousspecific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scopeof the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A telescopic optical sight for aiming a weapon ata target, said telescopic optical sight comprising: an eyepiece; a firstreticule, provided at a focal point for said eyepiece of said telescopicoptical sight; a second reticule, spaced laterally from said firstreticule, said second reticule aligning with said first reticule to aimthe weapon; and at least one object lens, said first reticule and saidsecond reticule between said eyepiece and said object lens.
 2. Thetelescopic optical sight according to claim 1 wherein said secondreticule comprises at least one circular, transparent disk having a holethere through.
 3. The telescopic optical sight according to claim 2wherein said hole is approximately 1 mm in diameter.
 4. The telescopicoptical sight according to claim 1 further comprising an adjustmentmeans, said means utilized to ensure alignment of said second reticulewith said first reticule.
 5. The telescopic optical sight according toclaim 2 wherein said circular disk comprises a plurality of opticallypolarized disks that are arranged such that their relative arrangementwith respect to one another affects the transparency through saidplurality.
 6. The telescopic optical sight according to claim 2comprising a plurality of said circular disks, each said diskincorporating a different diameter for said hole such that removal ofone or more said disks alters a size of the hole presented to a user ofsaid telescopic optical sight.
 7. The telescopic optical sight accordingto claim 2 wherein said circular disk comprises a concentric circlearound said hole, said circle having a different color than a remainderof said circular disk.
 8. The telescopic optical sight according toclaim 2 wherein said circular disk comprises a concentric circle aroundsaid hole.
 9. The telescopic optical sight according to claim 2 whereinsaid hole is located at a center of said circular disk.
 10. Thetelescopic optical sight according to claim 2 wherein said firstreticule comprises: cross hairs; and a plurality of concentric circles,said circles for aligning said hole in said disk with said firstreticule.
 11. The telescopic optical sight according to claim 2 whereinsaid disk is colored.
 12. A weapon sighting device for use within atelescopic optical sight, said device comprising a surface having adiscontinuity in said surface, said sighting device configured to beincorporated into a telescopic optical sight at a position near areticule, and between an eyepiece lens and an object lens and whereinthe discontinuity is spaced longitudinally from and aligned with thereticule.
 13. A weapon sighting device according to claim 12 whereinsaid surface comprises at least one circular, transparent disk having ahole there through, the hole being the discontinuity in said surface.14. A weapon sighting device according to claim 13 wherein said hole isapproximately 1 mm in diameter.
 15. A weapon sighting device accordingto claim 13 wherein said hole is located at a center of said circulardisk.
 16. A weapon sighting device according to claim 13 wherein saiddisk is colored.
 17. A weapon sighting device according to claim 12wherein said surface comprises a reference point to align with thereticule.
 18. A weapon sighting device according to claim 12 wherein aposition of said surface and a position of the reticule areinterchangeable.
 19. A weapon sighting device according to claim 12wherein said surface may be positioned on either side of a focal pointof an optical system, such that neither said device nor said reticule isat the focal point of the optical system.
 20. A weapon sighting deviceaccording to claim 12 wherein said surface comprises a plurality ofcircular, transparent, and colored disks each having a hole therethrough each said disk incorporating a different diameter for said hole.21. A weapon sighting device according to claim 12 wherein said surfacecomprises at least one circular, transparent disk having a hole therethrough, said circular disk comprising a concentric circle around saidhole.
 22. A weapon sighting device according to claim 21 wherein saidconcentric circle has a different color than a remainder of saidcircular disk.
 23. A method for aligning a telescopic sight with atarget, the telescopic sight having an eyepiece, an object lens, a firstreticule and a second reticule, the first reticule and the secondreticule being between the eyepiece and the object lens, said methodcomprising: aligning a first reticule of the sight with the target; andsuperimposing the second reticule over the first reticule, while thefirst reticule is in alignment with the target.
 24. A method accordingto claim 23 wherein the second reticule is a transparent disk with adiscontinuity at its center.
 25. A method according to claim 23 whereina mark for the first reticule and a mark for the second reticule are thesame mark.